TX: One man dead after Rusk County hunting accident

RUSK COUNTY - It happened around 10 this morning on County Road 4107 near
Turnertown.

Overton man, Louis Conner Jr. is dead tonight after allegedly being
mistaken for a deer while hunting this morning.

When deputies arrived at the deer lease, the suspect told them they were
hunting along the fence-line and shot what they thought was a deer.

When the suspect found Conner's body, he called the Sheriff's office.

Rusk County deputies arrested the alleged shooter for being a felon in
possession of a firearm.

So far, the suspect is still in the Rusk County jail waiting for
arraignment. The name has not been released.

The Rusk County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit is still
working on the case.

Here is the full press release from Rusk County:

On Saturday, January 1, 2011, at approximately 10:00 am, the Rusk County
Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched on a call concerning a shooting
incident. The incident occurred on a deer lease in the eastern part of Rusk
County off of County Road 4107.

The victim, 66 years old, white male, Louis Nicklas Conner, Jr., of Fort
Worth, died from an apparent gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace, Jerdy
Wolverton, of Precinct 1, conducted the inquest.

The suspect advised they were hunting on the lease and saw what they
thought was a deer. The suspect called the Sheriff’s Office when they
discovered the victim’s body.

The suspect was arrested for Felon in possession of firearm, and is
currently in the Rusk County Jail awaiting arraignment.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Rusk County Sheriff’s
Office Criminal Investigation Unit.

Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle stated this investigation will be conducted to
the fullest and upon completion will be forwarded to the Rusk County
District Attorney’s Office to be presented to a Grand Jury for possible
additional charges.

CORRECTION:

Due to being misinformed on the victim, Mr. Louis N. Conner, Jr’s,
information I would like to make a correction.

Mr. Conner was 41 years old from Overton, Texas, not Ft. Worth which was
previously stated.

We would like to send our apologies to the victim’s family for the
incorrect information.

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